If You Don't Defend, Revenue is Zero
Many people think of EV chargers simply as "power supply devices" stuck in the ground. But if you are a Charge Point Operator (CPO), you need to change your perspective. An EV charger is a massive outdoor IoT computer equipped with an Operating System (OS), processing payment information, and connected to the internet 24/7.
The recent case of chargers becoming targets for hackers at the global hacking competition 'Pwn2Own' is significant. Hackers breached chargers to install ransomware, manipulate them for free charging, and even steal user data. The fact that they are physically exposed on the street, accessible to anyone, further increases security vulnerabilities.
Today, we discuss how this "invisible threat" endangers your business and how you should defend against it.
Part 1. Two Fatal Risks Facing CPOs
Hacking is not just a headache for the IT department. It is a financial risk that directly hits a CPO's profitability.
1. Down-time Risk (Lost Revenue & Recovery Costs)
The most realistic fear is "Bricking." A charger infected with ransomware locks its screen and stops working. It won't unlock unless you pay the hacker, and resolving it requires engineers to travel to sites across the country. While the charger is down, revenue becomes 'zero,' and recovery costs skyrocket.
2. Brand & Legal Risk (Loss of Trust)
Rumors like "I used that brand's charger and my card info got stolen" inflict irreversible damage on a brand. Furthermore, if a charger is exploited as a zombie PC for a Grid Attack, the CPO could face massive legal liabilities.
Part 2. viveEV Proposal: 3 Security Checklists for CPOs
Security is not about fixing things after an incident; it's about prevention at the adoption stage.
The following three points are mandatory conditions to check when selecting hardware.
1. Immediate Response System: Remote Diagnostics & OTA (Check Support)
Speed is life in security incidents. When a hacking attempt or firmware error occurs, waiting for a site visit is too late. viveEV identifies anomalies in real-time through Remote Diagnostics. Additionally, when a security vulnerability is discovered, we immediately deploy security patches via OTA (Over-The-Air) without site visits, keeping defenses up to date. (Supported on major models like viveEV 600kW)
✅Check Point: Does the manufacturer stably support OTA technology to update firmware remotely?
2. Communication Security: Check for Data Leaks
Hackers target not just the charger body but also the communication data flowing between the charger and the Charging Station Management System (CSMS). Simply "supporting OCPP" is not enough.
✅Check Point: Is data encryption (TLS) and certificate management possible in a real operating environment? Is the hardware capable of applying Security Profiles beyond simple communication connections?
3. Hardware Security: Tough Shells Aren't Enough
Outdoor chargers are vulnerable to physical attacks. Strong casing and locks are basic. What's more important is the software 'lock'.
✅Check Point: Is it designed to prevent unauthorized firmware tampering? Is there a minimum defense mechanism to reject malicious code when a hacker tries to plant it via USB?
It’s Too Late Once You’re Breached
Security is the strongest insurance for a CPO. If you overlook security during the initial investment phase, it will come back as massive operating costs later. viveEV considers security a core element of business from the design stage to operation (OTA). Build a safe charging asset that generates revenue, not a miner for hackers. Build it with viveEV.